Well readers, I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to do a blog post last week. There honestly wasn’t too much going on on the normal blog day (Tuesday), and, as I find myself saying over and over again in this blog, we were “hurrying up and waiting.”
The week before, I’d re-ordered all the meds I’d need and took stock of everything to make sure there wouldn’t be any last-minute stressors this time. Fortunately, I had everything I needed.
The day after blog day, I had my Day 2 appointment where they draw blood to check hormone levels and do an ultrasound to check on follicle growth. That afternoon, I was given the go-ahead to start the stim meds (injections).
I have the same protocol as I did in our last round:
- 2 vials of Menopur and 0.38 mL Omnitrope in the a.m.
- 300 cc’s of Gonal F in the p.m.
While I do still have a partial Gonal F pen leftover from the last round, it’s been in my refrigerator for longer than 28 days. Lesson learned on that one!
This past Sunday was my Day 6 appointment and the official start of “Human Pincushion Week” (oh, what fun!). When I got the call that afternoon, I was instructed to add in the antagonist injection, Fyremadel – this is the med that prevents me from ovulating too early. So now I’m up to five needle pokes a day.
One thing I found interesting about this was in our very first cycle in 2022 and in this cycle, they gave me a specific time I had to take this med by each morning. Last cycle, I took it with my other morning meds.
This might not seem like a big deal, but it’s notable to me because the time I have to take it by is before I’m usually awake. I’ll have to ask my nurse or Dr. C. about the timing. I’m kind of curious…
In previous cycles, my doctor would often give me a one- or two-day reprieve from the daily poking and prodding, depending on the results of the previous day’s blood work and ultrasound.
So far, I’ve yet to have a reprieve, so I finally asked the nurse about it.
It depends on the doctor. Dr. C. is out this week so Dr. G. is monitoring her patients. He likes to have patients come in every day.
One more reason to love good ‘ole Dr. G., cauterizer in chief… **eye roll**
Anyway, as per the usual, I’ve been comparing my results to past cycles, mostly out of curiosity. (At some point, I’ll do another blog about this and really dig into all the results. And, because I’m a nerd, there will likely be charts!)
As of today (Day 8), here’s where things stand: I currently have 18 follicles developing, and more could develop over the next few days.
My right ovary currently has 8 follicles, ranging in size from 9-14 mm, and my left ovary currently has 10 follicles (ovary-achiever!), ranging in size from 8-14 mm.
These numbers are a little better than in our last cycle on the same day – RO: 6 follicles, 9-14 mm; LO: 8 follicles, 9-13 mm.
I’m hopeful I can break the cycle and get 20 eggs (or more!). In the last two cycles, 19 seemed to be the magic number. I’ll have to give the right ovary a pep talk later…
As of now, I’m still not 100% sure when the egg retrieval procedure will be. It’s tentatively scheduled for May 28 or 29. I’m really hoping for May 28. The Prebles are coming out for the grand opening of a new veterans memorial at a local park on May 29, and we’d planned this long before we knew IVF might be happening.
(Side note: It does work out pretty well, though, as Nick is scheduled to work this weekend and on Memorial Day. He can always go to the clinic before work to do his part, and then my parents can drive me to the procedure.)
It’s a good thing the grand opening isn’t the only reason they’re coming out though.
We also have family visiting from Texas (shout out to Keith, Anette, and Josh!); we’re super excited to see you all!
Anyway, I’ll be back in a couple of days to let you know how things are going and when my procedure will be. I do know it won’t be Dr. G. performing the procedure but another doctor I haven’t met before. (I was assured by the nurses that Dr. O. is lovely, and she’s one of the longest-serving docs at the clinic.)
Here’s hoping she’s not a fan of cauterization!
IVF That 